Under Pressure

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  “Some kiss coming from someone who doesn’t even like me.” His husky voice made her knees weak, but the meaning made her heart skip ten beats.

  “Who said I don’t like you?”

  “It’s pretty obvious, sweetheart. When you have the cold wall up in place, you’re targeting me with a deathly stare. Then the barrier slips and those beautiful eyes pull me in, making me want things a man like me has no right to have. As soon as that protective side fires into place, I’m shot back into Iceland.”

  She opened her mouth to argue, but the words fizzled. He was right, dang it! “I don’t know why I’m that way with you. Wishy-washy.”

  He frowned. “Do you have something against me or all men?”

  Laughing, she tugged her hair behind her ear. “I don’t have anything against you, or any man. I—I…” What could she say?

  “You’ve been hurt and allowed it to ruin your ability to have fun.”

  She sniffed. “I have fun—lots of fun.” This sounded like a lecture she’d get from one of her sisters.

  He chuckled. “That’s a lie, darlin’.”

  “No, it’s not a lie. Didn’t you see me laughing at the bar?”

  “Oh, that was a laugh? I guess I couldn’t get past the underlying sarcasm.”

  Thinking over her words carefully, not wanting to reveal too much, she blew out a breath. There was no being careful around a man who turned her to mush with his sexy eyes and charming smile. “I’m a little uncomfortable around you.”

  “Uncomfortable? I’ve always been told that I’m easy to get along with.” His eyes drove into her.

  “You’re a dangerous man, Spark.” Her voice was thick.

  He took a quick step back. “I’m not out to steal any hearts, or break any hearts either.”

  She moistened her lips, staring at him through the veil of her lashes. She should just get this over with. It wasn’t like she owed him an explanation, but she wanted him to understand. “Dangerous because you make me feel a certain way—lots of special ways—making me want to laugh again.” There it was—the door to her emotions opened. What would he do with her information? Use it to his advantage—like Kiefer had for years?

  “I’m not the danger, sweetheart. The danger is the man who made you close yourself off. I’m the salve that’ll make you feel better.” A wicked gleam lit his eyes.

  Wrapping her arms protectively around her middle, she sighed. “This is probably a bad idea.” But why did she want to rip his clothes off with her teeth? Lick him from head to toe, and spank his bottom. She’d guess a man like Spark wouldn’t mind a wickedly good time in bed.

  “Yeah, very, very stupid.” He leaned in and curved one hand on the back of her neck.

  “St-stupid…yes.” The apex of her thighs quivered. Inhaling deeply, she caught a whiff of masculinity and straw, making breathing harder. She could run away. He was giving her the chance to back away, but her feet were stuck to the ground.

  Run!

  Move!

  Her stubborn limbs refused her brain’s command.

  Her legs threatened to buckle, making her lean into him for his support.

  “And this is probably another dumb move.” He bent his head and kissed the sensitive area behind her ear then trailed his tongue along the line of her neck. She shivered, clutching the fabric of his shirt into her fists. My God, the man was a chemical warfare on her emotions.

  Push him away!

  His fingers threaded into her hair, his thumb smoothed over her earlobe.

  “And for goodness sake, I’m about to be the dumbest bastard this side of Texas.” He slid his palm along her nape and steadied her while he slowly lowered his mouth, kissing her deep and deeper until she trembled from toes to nose.

  There was no longer any fight left in her. She was a goner and no dingy was in sight to save her. To hell with the ice-cold wall she’d built to protect her from men like Spark. His arms became the dingy—her life support.

  With trembling fingers, she popped the top button of his shirt, then another and another—each pop was a promise— until his heated skin was exposed to her exploration.

  Dipping her fingers into the opened V, she swirled her touch along his chest, over flat nipples and, as more buttons released to her pleasure, following the trail of coiled muscle to the waist of his jeans.

  His fingers tugged at the hem of her shirt, dragging it from her body. Then he skillfully removed her bra. He sucked in a breath, skimming his warm fingers over her nipples that rejoiced at being the target of his touch. She slightly arched, loving how her breasts became swollen mounds against his palms.

  “This…is…”

  “Bad, I know. But bad never felt so damn good.” His husky voice beaded sweet poison through her blood.

  “It shouldn’t happen. We…need…to—”

  “Tell me to stop, Jewels, and I will.” He whispered next to her ear.

  “I don’t think I can.” Bringing her gaze up and meeting his, she felt all her chains break. “I want this. I want you.”

  “Then let me show you that I’d never hurt you. I’ll only show you how good it is to feel.” He turned her in one swift move, pushing her against the wall, slipping his fingers to the waist of her jeans. The loosening of the button and zipper sounded loud in the tall building.

  A horse whinnied in the background. A moan echoed off the walls, and she realized it was her—the sound of her willpower fading.

  “Nothing can ever come of this. No one can know.” Her voice quivered.

  His fingers paused. “I guess it isn’t acceptable for the daughter of the boss to sleep with the lowly ranch hand.”

  She squinted. “No, that’s not the reason. My father would never keep you on as a hand if he knew. But what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

  His fingers worked the material of her jeans. “No talking. Only feeling.” He slid them down her legs and the cooler air made her shiver. Once he pressed closer, all shivering dissipated.

  Chapter Eight

  SPARK KNEW THIS was not going to end well for him—and it’d end eventually.

  But looking at Jewels, her beauty made the idea of losing down the road much easier to swallow.

  He’d dreamt every night of touching her, tasting her. His dreaming was over and now he could experience the real thing—the innocent vixen.

  Logic warned him to prepare for the pain that would surely come, but he would enjoy every moment until the end of the line.

  Starting now…

  Lowering his head to her perfectly rounded breasts, he kissed one nipple, then suckled the other—drawing the bead into his mouth, rolling his tongue along the circular shape until she moaned.

  “My God, woman! You’ll be the death of me.” He groaned against her silken skin.

  Dropping to his knees, he smoothed his hands—large and tanned against her pale skin—over her flat stomach. He flicked the diamond navel stud with his forefinger and she gyrated her hips. Trailing his fingers to the patch of dark hair between her legs, he loved the soft, springy curls. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen a woman’s pussy covered in hair and he was turned on—beyond excited. Obviously, she wasn’t using the wax strips she’d used on him. He couldn’t wait to dive his tongue deep into her slit.

  With the pads of his thumbs, he spread her pink lips wide, sending a scent of musk and vanilla into his nostrils. She was ripe for the taking, but he didn’t want to hurry. He wanted to savor every second, every morsel, of her tight body. His goal to take her to a new level would require his patience. She wasn’t a woman he could fuck and get enough.

  He’d been told a few times that he was good with his tongue, but being at the apex of Jewels’ beautiful body, his confidence lowered a tad—more than a little. Hell, he felt like a teenager trying to impress the prettiest girl in high school.

  Flicking the tip of his tongue over her moist curves, he designed a figure eight over the nub until she arched her back and cried out with a ra
gged moan. Sliding his tongue lower, he lapped up the cream at her opening, darting inside and out of her body. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, clawing him, clinging to him as her hips took on a rocking rhythm.

  “Come, baby,” he mumbled against her core.

  Moving his hands to her ass, he kneaded her rounded bottom while he buried his face deeper into her, suckling, nibbling, rolling until she stiffened. A low moan sliced through the room and she squirmed against his lips.

  Pulling back, he stood and wiped her juices from his lips. She stared at him with soft eyes while her tongue slipped across her bottom lip. His cock twitched and threatened to burst through the denim. He had to hurry.

  She joined her fingers with his at the wide buckle. “Here, I want to.”

  “I won’t get in your way then.” He dropped his hand, allowing her to tug the metal free. He grinned at her concentration. Her tongue slipped between her lips, her eyes were wide as if she opened a gift. He couldn’t imagine ever seeing anything sexier than a woman anticipating touching his cock.

  Once his jeans and boxers were lowered to his hips, and his erection was aiming for the beams, she wrapped her fingers around him. Her fingers looked delicate against his aching head. Pre-cum oozed from his tip and she smeared the liquid with her thumb while her gaze locked with his. He sucked in a breath and his balls tightened.

  “What in the hell are you doing to me?” His throat ached.

  “Nothing you don’t want,” she whimpered.

  “Oh, I want it all.”

  “And you shall…in time. For now, I want you in my mouth.”

  His knees wobbled. He was a goner—and he didn’t give a shit!

  She stroked him with her lips from root to tip, her tongue rolling over the thick vein on his shaft. Her fingers disappeared and then came a gentle squeeze on his nuts. With the combination of her hot, wet mouth and the embracing of her other hand, he was reaching the edge at a fast pace.

  Wanting her as badly as his next breath, he gently pulled her to her feet. A wicked grin played at the corner of her mouth and ripped through him like a shot of morphine. Cupping her face, he held her while he drove his mouth against hers, sipping her sweetness like a fine wine. She plastered her body close to his, bringing her arms tight around his neck. He tore his shirt from his body, wanting to have their naked chests touching. She pressed against him, understanding his need. He spread his hands on her back, slipping his fingers down to her tight ass and lifted her slightly until she stood on tiptoe.

  “Condom?”

  He met her gaze, grinning. “Of course.” Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out his wallet, silently hoping he’d find a foiled packet and glad fate didn’t let him down.

  After ripping open the package with his teeth, he spit the top onto the floor.

  “Let me do this.” She took the condom from him and slid the sheath over him. There went the tongue rolling across her bottom lip again. It was a habit…and damn did it make his balls twinge.

  His body quivered, he moved between her legs, seeing anticipation fill her eyes. Keeping one hand on her back, he protected her skin from the scratchy wood, the other he palmed her tight backside, holding her close while he brought the tip of his head to her opening. He didn’t enter just yet. Her gaze was lowered and he needed to see her eyes.

  “Look at me, sweetheart,” he whispered.

  She brought her chin upward. Her long lashes swept across the tops of her freckled cheeks, her bottom lip trembled and her skin colored with passion. Her intoxicating scent mingled with the afternoon breeze. He knew the fragrance was a scent of her own. A woman like Jewels didn’t need perfume.

  Her palm pressed his cheek. “Are you okay?” Her voice smoothed over him with velvety softness.

  His resolve crashed.

  Muttering a curse, he pulled her hard against him as reality swam into his conscious. This could be the one and only time he’d touch her, and that thought cracked his reserve. With all of the other women, he’d only wanted one time, but with her, once would never be enough. Crushing his mouth to hers, her lips opened, drawing his tongue in and she suckled. He’d never been driven so far over the line.

  “Ready, darling?”

  “More than ready.”

  With one fluid motion, he thrust into her, moaning as her tight muscles squeezed him, sending waves of current through his body.

  Gotta slow down!

  She brought one knee up high, situating her inner thigh against his hip, giving him deeper access into her body. He dove deep, his tip thumped her insides and his groan came from a different place within his chest.

  Her nails nicked his shoulders. He guessed he’d have her marks all over him and he wouldn’t complain.

  She buried her face against his neck, running her tongue along his skin, washing him with an urgency he’d never known. He was on the ride of his life and the gears were on full force. He pounded her hard, and her cries told him she liked it fast and firm. His balls bounced against her and his body tightened with the strain of a pulled rubber band.

  Tangling his fingers in her long hair, he rubbed her scalp, slipping his fingers down along her nape. He kneaded the muscles of her bottom then slipped his fingers to where their bodies met. Her juices slicked his digits. Bringing his hand to his mouth, he licked the cream from his forefinger. The taste was his undoing. Spasms rocked his body, one after another until the torrid waterfall draped him in pure release.

  “Spark!” His name fell from her. Her inside quivered against his iron length, then a shudder as she found a mirrored release.

  ~°°°~

  “You had sex with Spark! I knew it!”

  “Shh!” Jewels glared across the kitchen at Pearl. “Remember, it’s a secret.” Jewels pulled the steaming bowl of buttered corn from the microwave and gave it a quick stir. “Spark and I promised to tell no one.”

  Pearl’s expression turned doubtful. “So, let me get this straight…you and Spark had sex in the barn, then you both agreed to keep it a secret, and yet you’re telling me, but you’re certain he won’t tell a soul? Okay…”

  “I know what you’re getting at. But Spark won’t break our agreement. And I’m only telling you because you guessed.” Jewels placed the bowl on the table.

  “Come on, sis. You’ve heard the same things I have over the years. Never send a boy a naked picture because he isn’t capable of not showing it to at least three other people. The same moral applies here. If you have sex with a man, he can’t keep it to himself. And if Dad finds out, Spark’ll be out on his ear. That’s the rules.”

  Jewels’ stomach churned. Pearl wasn’t telling her anything she hadn’t already tossed around in her mind at least twenty times since she’d walked away from Spark in the barn. “Dad won’t find out.”

  “And you sound so certain. That means it was a one-time only thing?” Pearl’s brow lifted and one corner of her mouth dropped.

  What could she say? “I don’t know.”

  “Oh. Brother. You never were good at keeping secrets.”

  “I guess not. How did Em get so good at it?” Jewels took the spaghetti sauce off the stove and inhaled the savory smell. Her stomach growled. “Speaking of our sis, where is she? I thought she would be here for dinner.”

  “How many times do I have to remind you that I’m not her babysitter?”

  Jewels shook her head. “Relax, I’m only wondering if she said anything to you.”

  With a quick shake of her head, and spooning food onto her plate, Pearl finally answered, “Nope. Not a word.”

  “Then I guess there’s no reason to wait, huh?”

  Pearl looked down her fork at Jewels, pausing from chewing spaghetti, her mouth full. “Oh, were you thinking we should wait?”

  Jewels laughed. “No, go ahead.” She checked her phone for missed calls or texts. Nothing. Grabbing her own plate of food, she dug in. “By the way, don’t tell Em about what happened with Spark. You hear? I’m serious on this.”

>   “Of course not. She can’t keep a secret if her life depended on it, even if you think she can.”

  Chapter Nine

  THE RAIN CAME down with a relentless vengeance, lightning lit the sky and the thunder rattled the ground. Spark didn’t mind storms—he usually loved them—but this one was different.

  An internal storm raged inside of him and the dreary weather made it impossible to work—stranding him inside his small room in the hand lodging for two days. He’d go stir crazy if he didn’t get out—hell, if he didn’t see the brown-eyed beauty with the pert nose soon he’d start writing on the walls and pulling up the floors.

  Once, sometimes twice, a day they’d sneak off to different locations on the ranch…in the stables, in her bedroom and his favorite, in the hayloft…to make love in a frenzied coupling. He’d found himself thinking of her nonstop, anticipating the next time he’d touch her—taste her. In the last two weeks, he’d jacked off more than he had in a year, and he still couldn’t mollify the constant craving for Jewels.

  And now, three days had gone by since they’d last met.

  Three long, lonely days.

  She hadn’t even bothered giving him an explanation.

  Damn, he hated even caring.

  He had only himself to blame. He’d put his heart on the line…something he’d never done before. And he was screwed. In a big way.

  Leaning against the wall, legs drawn up to his bare chest, he stared out the window as another flash of lightning lit the purplish sky. The electric had gone out a few hours before, and the only other light was a candle sitting on his dresser. The golden glow and lavender scent relaxed him—some. He didn’t think any amount of candles could alleviate the ache in his gut and groin.

  He had it bad for a woman who didn’t give a shit for him unless he was rock hard and buried inside of her. And why did he feel like an old, broken down saddle—knowing he’d be exchanged for the new, more dependable saddle any day. Wouldn’t most men jump at the chance for a sex only relationship with a beautiful, sexy woman?